Paxton Lynch’s Colorado connections were developed long before John Elway selected him with the No. 26 pick in the draft Thursday.

Lynch, a 6-foot-7, 245-pound quarterback with a strong arm and quick feet, idolized one of the early dual-threat quarterbacks in Kordell Stewart, one of CU’s most prolific passers in history.

“That’s my man right there,” Lynch said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. “I had a Slash poster in my room all through college and in my younger days.”

Lynch and Stewart share the same agent, Leigh Steinberg, and the two first met at Steinberg’s Super Bowl party in San Francisco in February.

“I called him on the phone a couple times. He’s just like any other kid that idolizes a certain player,” said Stewart, who was in Colorado earlier this month to promote his new book, “Truth: The Kordell Stewart Story.” “But I just told him, ‘Man, just keep doing you. Don’t get caught up in the mix and just enjoy yourself. It wasn’t really a lot I had to say. I just said, ‘Enjoy the moment. Have fun. It only comes a few times in your life when you have these types of opportunities.’

“That’s kind of the angle I gave him so that as he moves forward and is doing what he’s going he can enjoy it. And ‘Don’t feel like you have to do it the way everybody tells you. Just be you in the process. You’re in a world of being judged. If you can consistent long term, it’ll benefit you.’ That’s really all our conversation was about. It wasn’t about trying to give him what I experienced, thinking it was going to happen to him, because it probably won’t. But just let him know, ‘Hey, just enjoy the ride.'”

Draft day arrives and makes that Kevin Coster movie, if only briefly, seem reasonable. Talks of trades, nose divers and high risers have flooded the airwaves and Twitter feeds. The Broncos sit in an intriguing spot at No. 31. Paxton Lynch, who appears to be sliding on boards. could be available. Would they trade up or take him if available? And if the Broncos aren’t convinced he fits, trading out of the pick to a team that wants a quarterback makes sense given the fifth-year rookie option’s role in development.

Consider this an appetizer of possibilities. If I knew who the Broncos were picking, I’d be watching the draft from a beach or in Las Vegas. Here we go….

The Denver Broncos are in search of a starting quarterback. Tim Tebow’s a quarterback. Eh? Eh?

One fan started a an online petition on change.org to bring the Mile High Messiah back to the Broncos.

As of 1:55 p.m., more than 5,000 people signed the petition. Currently the Broncos have two quarterbacks signed in Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian.

The argument:

The Denver Broncos have lost their two main quarterbacks from their epic 2016 Super Bowl Championship winning season. We need a proven winner to continue to move this team in the right direction. Coach Gary Kubiak’s offense would thrive with Tebow under center. He and the legendary John Elway can make this happen. We dont need a subpar throwaway from some other team, we need an original Bronco who has the fire, desire, and love of the game to play as a Bronco again! As a bonus the Bronco fans would be ecstatic! He just wins, we all know this! #TebowTime

Tebow was a first-round draft pick of the Broncos in 2010. He played two seasons, completing 47.3 percent of his passes for 2,383 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Day three (rounds four through seven) selections will be made live from the base of Mary Jane Territory at Winter Park Resort by former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom, cheerleader Christina and a fan.

The Broncos currently have 10 picks in the NFL Draft, which will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer during a game in Denver in 2006. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)

The Broncos will head west for their Day 3 draft selections.

The team’s selections for rounds 4-6 will be announced live from the base of Mary Jane Territory at Winter Park Resort on Saturday by a few familiar faces: former quarterback Jake Plummer; two-time Olympic skier and former Colorado receiver, Jeremy Bloom; and Broncos cheerleader Christina. Should the Broncos hold onto to all of their picks in the latter rounds, a fan will be selected to announce.

Plummer, a 10-year veteran who holds the second-highest winning percentage (.722, 39-15 record) among Broncos quarterbacks, led the team to three straight playoff berths from 2003-05 before retiring on his own volition in 2007.

Bloom, a former CU receiver and punt returner, is the only athlete in history to ski in the Winter Olympics — twice — and play in the NFL. He was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round (No. 147) of the 2006 draft. Following a stint with the Steelers, Bloom returned to competitive skiing as part of the 2010 United States Olympic team.Read more…

Aqib Talib held an online question-and-answer session with fans Tuesday and opened up about everything from his top five cornerbacks (the list may look familiar), his fear of birds, baggy jeans and much more.

On his top five cornerbacks:
“Currently in the NFL I’d say, myself, Chris Harris Jr., Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson, and Darrelle Revis. I say these guys because we’ve been at the top of our game the longest, year after year. All of us have great numbers since we’ve been in the league and had great production.”

On his favorite quarterbacks, wide receivers to play against:
“To play against? Definitely Tom Brady and his group. They’re just so competitive that you know you’re going to get a good game out of them. Also I like to play against Philip Rivers, he likes to talk a lot and is very competitive, it just makes the game fun.”

On the toughest wide receivers to guard:
“Toughest wideouts to cover, for me the smaller quicker type of receivers. I’m a bigger guy so the smaller guys make it a little more challenging.”Read more…

Derek Wolfe will host a draft party at Celebrity Lanes in Centennial on Thursday. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe will host an NFL draft party at Celebrity Lanes in Centennial on Thursday to benefit his Wolfe Pack Foundation, which helps underprivileged youth in both Colorado and his home state of Ohio, and Active Force Foundation, a nonprofit that helps the disabled participate in sports.

Wolfe will be joined by at least 20 of his Broncos teammates at the sixth annual Denver Draft Party, held from 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Opportunities for photos with players and a silent auction for signed Broncos memorabilia will be included.

Tickets can be purchased at DenverDraftParty.com, but those interested in attending must also register by calling 303-688-9412. Space is limited for those wanting to bowl with the players.

The only thing certain about the draft process is nothing is certain. The Broncos main needs – quarterback, defensive line, inside linebackers have been well-documented leading up to the NFL draft.

The Broncos know their needs as well as anyone, but they’ve been successful in the John Elway era by staying true to their board and avoiding the reach for need. The strengths in the draft are in the trenches on both lines and in the secondary. I’d expect the Broncos to select at least one of each position and a quarterback.

Von Miller ranked No. 24 on the NFLPA’s top 50 player sales list for 2015-16. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Von Miller, in the middle of his post-Super Bowl media tour, can add another line to his growing resume. The Broncos’ Super Bowl MVP and star pass-rusher joined the NFL Players Association’s top 50 sales list for the 2015-16 season (March 1, 2015 – Feb. 29, 2016), ranking No. 24 in his first appearance on the list since the union started to compile the data, in 2013.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reclaimed the No. 1 spot from Seattle’s Russell Wilson, while Peyton Manning, again, came in at No. 2. Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Dez Bryant rounded out the top five.

Demaryius Thomas (No. 37) was the only other Bronco on the list.

The ranking, released quarterly via the players’ association’s licensing and marketing arm, NFL Players Inc., is based on sales of all products — T-shirts, figurines, decals and more — from 80-plus NFLPA licensees including Fanatics, Nike, Majestic Athletic Wear, Outerstuff and Fathead.

From left: Ty Sambrailo, Matt Paradis, Russell Okung and Mark Sanchez at the Rockies-Dodgers game on Sunday at Coors Field. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez has made a concerted effort to get to know his new teammates and spend as much time with them ahead of training camp and the new season.

Earlier this month he worked out with some of the Broncos’ receivers in California (“Broncos Beach,” as as it was dubbed), and on Sunday he joined some of his offensive linemen — Matt Paradis, Ty Sambrailo, Russell Okung, Cameron Jefferson, Robert Myers and Kyle Roberts — at the Rockies-Dodgers game at Coors Field.

Sanchez’s efforts to connect with his teammates hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“I think Mark has done a tremendous job of getting introduced to his teammates and fitting into the locker room,” general manager John Elway said last week. “That will just continue. With the draft, we’ll have the young guys coming in that will be fitting into the locker room and we’ll fill out the (90-man roster). That’s kind of the process that happens this time of year.”

Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman credits former teammate Ryan Clady for helping him through his rehab on his left knee. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Leaders inspire in different ways. And sometimes they find an audience through coincidence. When Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman tore the anterior ligament in his left knee on a kick coverage drill, it devastated him. He rode off on a cart to the trainer’s room, knowing his rookie season was over.

As doubt infected his mind, Heuerman leaned on former teammate Ryan Clady. A few weeks after Heuerman, Clady ruptured his left ACL backpedaling in a non-contract drill. Not unlike Chris Harris and Von Miller two years ago, Clady and Heuerman became connected at the hip in rehab. Heuerman credits Clady for teaching him how to be a pro.

Clady, who was the longest-tenured Broncos player before being shipped to the New York Jets two weeks ago, enjoyed helping the former Ohio State standout.

“Jeff is my dude,” Clady told the Post on Saturday. “I am hoping he has a great year.”

Heuerman joked that he talked Clady’s ear off in the trainer’s room. Heuerman is outgoing, and Clady is quiet, reserved. The pairing fit, though.

“Having Clady with me was huge. I learned a ton from him. He was here longer than anyone. He knows everything. I had so many questions, I am sure he probably got sick of me,” Heuerman said. “I was always bugging him, asking him him if I could drive his cars. He was awesome.”

Clady’s help, however, had limits. Or a stop sign.

“Ha-Ha, no he didn’t (drive them). He was always trying to impress some females with them,” Clady said.

Clady and Heuerman returned to offseason workouts in different work places. While Heuerman is good to go, the Jets have promised to exercise caution with the 29-year-old Clady. Clady replaces D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who missed one snap on a trick play in 10 years. Clady missed 30 games over the past three seasons with foot and knee injuries, but says he healed.

“I’ve just been working really hard, and the body is feeling good,” Clady said. “At the end of the day it is football so you never know what can happen.”

It’s always good when sports can both entertain and bring a smile to our faces.

The Broncos announced Friday that they have collaborated with the NFL and Make-A-Wish Colorado to grant 16-year-old Daniel Hailpern’s wish of announcing the Broncos first pick in the NFL Draft. Hailpern, a Leukemia survivor, will do so along side NFL commissioner Roger Goddell in Chicago.

Hailpern and his family will fly to Chicago on Wednesday, April 27 for the draft and its surrounding activities. Hailpern spent nine months in 2014 at the Children’s Hospital Colorado, the official hospital of the Broncos, receiving treatment and care leading up to and after a successful bone marrow transplant.

“Make-A-Wish Colorado is beyond excited for Daniel’s opportunity at the 2016 NFL Draft,” Make-A-Wish Colorado’s President & CEO Joan Mazak said. “We are so fortunate to have the support of the Denver Broncos and to partner with such a great organization to help fulfill the wishes of our football-loving kids.”

Hailpern began a one hour radio talk show during his time at the hospital titled Daniel’s P[R]eview Show. Several Broncos players and local celebrities appeared on the show that still runs today. Hailpern also interviewed receiver Demaryius Thomas at Dove Valley last season.

Denver currently holds the No. 31 pick and last selection in Thursday’s first-round of the NFL draft.

Rick Upchurch is inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame during halftime of a 2014 game against the Chiefs. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

For Broncos Ring of Famer Rick Upchurch, cannabidiol (CBD) isn’t just an alternative pain-reliever, as it is for many other former players. The nonpsychoactive compound, one of nearly 100 found in cannabis, has helped him counter the side effects of cancer treatment and achieve remission.

“Without a doubt,” he said. “Otherwise, I would be in bad shape, I really would.”

At the 2015 NFL draft in Chicago, the former receiver and punt returner (1975-83) revealed his battle with leukemia, a diagnosis he received in 2011 after a bone marrow biopsy confirmed doctors’ suspicions and tied together the various symptoms he had been experiencing: The fatigue. The aches. The cold sweats at night. The bruising.

Upchurch was ordered to immediately begin chemotherapy treatment. Three pills a day, every day. His energy level plummeted. His immune system was sapped. His appetite disappeared and his food tasted like metal. Boils broke out all over his body — a reaction to the chemo — and soon his hair fell out.

As the Broncos continue their search for a third quarterback, Broncos general manager John Elway made it clear the team hasn’t changed its view of Trevor Siemian, their seventh-round pick in 2015.

“We are really happy with Trevor and the way that he’s played,” Elway said Thursday. “He’s very talented. He’s got great arm talent and he’s a young guy. He came off an ACL (injury) last year so he will be much better coming in this offseason program. Plus, he’s got a year under his belt as far as the offense so he’ll feel a lot more comfortable. Trevor is going to compete, too. Whether we bring in three or even four—we’ve talked about just staying at three and throwing the ball out there and seeing who comes out with it. He will be in the hunt. He will be right there in the middle of it and competing.”

After losing Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to Houston, the Broncos traded for veteran Mark Sanchez in March and have engaged in trade discussions for Colin Kaepernick. The talks with Kaepernick are “dormant” but not off the table, Elway said, and in the meantime, the Broncos met with Brian Hoyer in Denver over dinner Wednesday night and at the Broncos’ facility Thursday.

The Broncos’ linebacker performed the jive with Lindsay Arnold on “Dancing With the Stars'” switch-up night. The dance was good enough to garner the two a score of 29 out of 40 from the four judges and included, among other things, at least seven fineable pumps.

And, of course, there was more discussion of flatulence. Another day in the life of Miller.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.